Old Summer Palace Ruins Park圆明园遗址公园
Once hailed as the 'Garden of Gardens', the Old Summer Palace was the Qing dynasty's grandest royal garden, distilling the essence of Jiangnan landscaping alongside European-style buildings. Burned by Anglo-French forces in 1860, its surviving ruins — the Dashuifa fountain and the shattered walls of Yuanying Guan — stand as weighty testimony to China's modern history. Admission is free.
Beijing · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Old Summer Palace Ruins Park worth visiting?
Ruins of the famed 'Garden of Gardens', burned by the Anglo-French forces in 1860 — a site that stands as a warning to later generations.
Quick facts
| Ticket | CNY 10 (ruins park); combo ticket CNY 25 (includes the Xiyang Lou European Palaces section) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00-20:00 (peak season); 7:00-19:00 (low season) |
| Recommended duration | 2-4 hours |
| Best time to visit | April-May for spring; September-November for autumn |
| How to get there | Metro Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Station (Exit B); buses 319, 320, 331 and others |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Area | About 350 hectares |
| Built | 1709-1809 (Kangxi to Jiaqing reigns, Qing dynasty) |
| Burned | October 1860 |
| Epithet | Garden of Gardens |
| Main ruins | Dashuifa fountain, Yuanying Guan, Haiyan Tang |
| Artifacts lost | About 1.5 million items |
What to expect
Begun under the Kangxi Emperor and expanded by the Yongzheng, Qianlong and later reigns, the Old Summer Palace covered 350 hectares across three linked gardens: Yuanmingyuan, Changchunyuan and Qichunyuan. It gathered the finest of Jiangnan garden design and added European-style palaces — the reason it was crowned the 'Garden of Gardens' and stands as the pinnacle of Chinese landscape art.
In October 1860 Anglo-French forces stormed Beijing, looted the palace bare and set it alight; the fire burned for three days. The Garden of Gardens was reduced to ruins and vast numbers of its treasures scattered overseas — a painful memory of China's modern history. What remains, the broken columns of Dashuifa and Yuanying Guan, tells the story in silence.
The ruins park today falls into two parts. The ruins zone preserves the historical scene so later generations will not forget; the lakes-and- hills zone is simply lovely — peach blossom in spring, reeds swaying in autumn. Enter by the East Gate: see the Xiyang Lou ruins first, then wander the lakes.
How to get there
Metro Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Station, Exit B, then about a 10-minute walk to the East Gate
Best photo spots
- The Dashuifa fountain ruins
- The broken walls of Yuanying Guan
- The Xiyang Lou archway
- The ginkgo groves in autumn
Tips
- Enter via the East Gate — ruins first, then the scenic zone
- Little shade in the ruins zone; bring sun protection
- The combo ticket is better value and includes the Xiyang Lou area
- A commemorative event is held every October 18; reserve ahead
Scams to avoid
- Watch for unlicensed guides who whip up patriotic sentiment to sell souvenirs
- Skip pitches for paid 'patriotic education' commentary
Frequently asked questions
Are the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace the same place?
No. The Summer Palace survives intact; the Old Summer Palace is a ruins park. The two sit about 10 km apart.
What is left of the Old Summer Palace today?
Mainly the stone remains of the Xiyang Lou area — the Dashuifa fountain and the ruins of Yuanying Guan.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes — it is a powerful history lesson, though it helps to give children the right framing.
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